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How do I get more information?

- Contact your school's guindance department.

- Contact your local Apprenticeship Office:
Waterloo Area Office, 285 Weber Street North, Waterloo, Ontario N2J 3H8
Telephone: 519-571-6009 Fax: 519- 571-6047, or call the training hotline at 1-800-265-6180.

- Visit the Ministry of Education and Traning at the website
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca for valuable apprenticeship information.

- Check out http://www.apprenticesearch.com

How many skilled trades are there?

There are over 130 skilled trades that can be classified into five sectors - Construction, Industrial, Service, Motive Power and Human Services. For example, Brick & Stone Mason, Construction Boilermaker, Draftsperson, Electrician, Facilities Systems Technician, Heating System Mechanic, Industrial Electrician, Ironworker, Plumber, Autobody Repairer, Motive Power machinist, Small Engine Technician, Baker, Cook, Early Childhood Educator, Hairstylist, Child and Youth Worker, Horticulturist, Optics Technician, Painter and Decorator, Machinist, Glazier & Metal Mechanic, Industrial, Woodworker, Metal Mould Maker, Pattern Maker, Steel Fitter, Tool and Die Maker, Industrial Millwright

What does Trade Certification mean?

To be employed in certain skilled trades, workers must have a Certificate of Qualification. This certificate states that they have passed the provincial qualification exam that assesses their knowledge of their skilled trade. To write the provincial exam, applicants must prove they have experience in the trade.

What is the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program?

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Progam (OYAP) is a specialized program that enables students who are 16 years of age or older to meet secondary diploma requirements while participating in an occupation that requires apprenticeship. For more information contact your local high school's cooperative education teacher.

What is an apprenticeship?

- A combination of on-the-job training and classroom intruction

- 80 - 90 per cent of apprenticeship training is provided in the workplace

- 10 - 20 per cent involves classroom instruction on theory, which is usually given at a local community college, or provided through another approved training organization

- Length of the apprenticeship varies depending on the trade

Why choose the skilled trades?

-Canada is going to have a dramatic demand for people with excellent technical skills training in the skilled trades and technologies

- Many tradespeople today will be retiring in the next ten years leading to a shortage of skilled employees.

- Skilled tradespeople earn high than average incomes.

- Many skilled tradespeople own their own businesses.

- 40% of new jobs will be in skilled trades and technologies in the next two decades.